Pure Linkwood 12 yr white label 70 proof v black label 43%

[lincoln imp]

I have always been a fan of the John McEwen bottlings with both of these versions approaching 90 points.

White label 12 year 70 proof 1970's score 88/89/89

The nose is pretty good, white fruits mixed with honey and lemon plus a nice lemon sherbet note.
Nice attack at first with fruit up front but it gets quite drying with a wood note mixed in.
Thankfully the wood note goes and the fruit takes over honey, lemon, yellow apples, almost a cider note and there is the faintest hint of peat but what I like is the lemon sherbet note mixed in with a little lime, quite refreshing.
Finish is also good not powerfully just fruity and honey with a faint smattering of menthol.
It is common knowledge there could differences between batches, this is thankfully a good one.
I will try the black label one next

Black label 12 year 43% early 1980's score 88/90/90

This one is way darker than the 70 proof white label i have just had WB is 44812.
Similarities with that bottle but not as fruity on the nose with an almost earthy note.
The palate has a load of spice that the white label didn`t and the fruit is like stewed yellow plum and yellow gooseberries hint of menthol and some dark honey.
There is obviously more Sherry in this black label, it has a fuller mouth feel and the spice/pepper note keeps growing, l like it, and the finish is nice with the spice still growing, really good finish.
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Pour me a glass please.